For next week, then,
I want you to fall in love
with someone who doesn’t
speak the same language as you.
I want you to explore
all conjugations of the verbs
to feel to stumble to fumble.
I want you to analyse
the syntax of their collarbone
and the irregular construction
of the skin on their belly.
How their intonation rises
with each questioning look
in the way that their voice
does not. How the structure
of their arms has possessive
qualities, and it calls to you
in the singular and the plural.
How there is no need for a third
person. How the present
might or might not seem perfect
and the rules behind it follow
no rhyme nor reason anyway.
How tongues are the least
important part of the conversation
when the punctuation is made
by the sounds of your study.

What you will learn is
for you and you alone but
share the lesson wide.

I want to be a permanent guest of your lips
see you wake up
watch you sleep
and eventually if you want
make love too
all night
and all morning
we have lunch
then after
again
then after
we fuck
we pretend
the end of the world
is near
we bar the door
we pretend the horde
of zombies has taken the streets
see them crawl between the smoke and flames?
Don’t make a sound
covered by these covers
no one can harm us.

Let’s pretend it’s worth it
to tell us to do us to kiss us
in these zombie times.
In these zombie times
each time
is like
the last time.

Let’s pretend the last time
was second to last
and back all the way
to the first time
when you looked at me
with those smiling eyes of yours.

I’ll tell you that I heart you
you’ll ask: what about the other organs?
I all the other organ you.

As meanwhile outside
the apocalypse
is bucketing down
we’ll be able
to laugh together.